Listen to Angela: GH Preview for Week of October 21 - Concave Middle Distance

Concave Middle Distance

The word prodigal means “wastefully extravagant” – by either word or deed – extreme, reckless; over the top. It derives from the Latin prodigus, from prodigere -- to drive away, or squander.

Most of us have heard the parable of the Prodigal Son, from the Book of Luke:  At his younger son’s request, a father remits the boy’s inheritance to him before the father dies. The boy goes off, money burning a hole in his pocket, and proceeds to revel, play, debauch, and live on the edge until, inevitably, the money runs out and the party is over.

When a famine hits the area, the younger son is forced to muck a pig sty in order to keep from starving, and it isn’t long before he’s thinking the pigs have better rations than he does. That’s when he finally puts his pride in his pocket and returns home, shamefacedly, ready to offer himself in service to his father’s household as a worker.  The father, overjoyed at the return of his son, for whom he has lived in terrible fear and worry, gathers him up and holds a feast to celebrate his return. The older son, outraged at what he perceives as an easy pass, at first refuses to participate, reminding dear old Dad that he didn’t leave home and fritter away his inheritance.

His father remonstrates him; that’s not the point. The point is that they are celebrating that this son came back. This son is alive. This son wants to love and be loved by them again, and this son wants to make amends.  “Everything I have is yours,” the father says, “but it is appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.”

It’s a powerful story of spiritual rebirth, forgiveness, and redemption – of the idea that you can go home again, even after so many mistakes and bad decisions.  Of the power of a parent’s love, and their capacity for utter forgiveness for their children.  The parent wants to love and support the child – but it is, ultimately, that child’s decisions and actions which determine whether or not they’re allowed to do so – and to what extent. 

Sometimes, the prodigal doesn’t come home the same way he or she left.  And sometimes they don’t come home at all.
 

Heaven

On Cassadine Island, things have gone from exasperating to flat-out infuriating, as a standoff ensues between the warring factions – Nikolas’ staff being absolutely no help at all – and Robert and Anna find themselves surrounded for the duration by their daughter’s handiwork. Terrified for Robin, not knowing if she’s still alive, newly dead, or even within spitting distance of where they are, they begin to compare notes and weigh their options on what to do next. 
 

Mac gets back to Port Charles and Maxie in time for her to regale him with the latest news about the baby, and her plans to reclaim her daughter. As a father, Mac is supportive, but he also knows it isn’t as cut and dried as a legal brief. There is a gutting in store, and he wants to make sure Maxie is prepared for it, because he also knows the opposing side will give no quarter. 
 

Crazy On You
 

Pouring on the sugar with his ambitious campaign to become the new District Attorney, Scott is happy to have the assistance of his former squeeze Lucy Coe, who has never been at a loss for words or the seasoned pitch.  With everything clocking along as planned, the last thing he wants or expects is the appearance of a crazed ex, but he’s absolutely floored to come face to face with a rather incensed Heather Webber.  It doesn’t matter that Heather’s ire is borne of a recent revelation about Franco’s blatant opportunism – she only wishes she’d thought of it first – but Scott is the one directly in the line of fire, and even he isn’t foolhardy enough not to dive for cover. 

When You Were Young
 

Sam starts playing the threads and speculates: could Julian Jerome indeed be Ava’s brother that Kiki and Silas were discussing?  It’s a question with staying power, and it won’t let go.  Alexis goes to Lucy and asks her to reach into her memories of Victor Jerome’s life and connections; is there anyone around who might have more information?  Sam and Silas head for New York City, armed with Lucy’s information – intent on unmasking the past and the mystery of Sam’s origins.

Red Rain
 

Prodigious eavesdropping has caused Morgan to draw conclusions based on what he perceives as evidence, and it’s about to raise the stakes on his future and any chance he has of turning back. With an ego fueled by rage, his perceptions of Derek and Ava’s relationship, combined with the body blow of witnessing Michael’s apparent favored status with Sonny, cause him to place his own life in jeopardy without knowing it. He’s become a liability; Derek wants him removed, even as Sonny’s world is again struck with force, affecting both legal and questionable enterprises. Sonny goes to an unexpected source for information, which startles and disquiets Michael – because it’s the last place anyone would expect to find a Corinthos.

Also Next Week:  Sabrina tells Felix about the phone call Patrick received from “Robin”, and Felix wonders if Britt made the call. Kiki signs annulment papers.  Diane reassures Michael about AJ’s chances at trial if Scott is elected, and later confronts Franco about his paintings. 

Songs: 

Heaven: Live, Birds of Pray 

Crazy on You: Heart, Dreamboat Annie 
When You Were Young: The Killers, Sam’s Town 
Red Rain: Peter Gabriel, So 

 You can find information, lyrics, and artist bios on the song titles in this preview at  

songfacts.com . 

 General Hospital airs weekdays at 2PM EST/PST on ABC and is available on Hulu and SoapNet. 

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